Open Road Films

(Photo Credit: David Pascua)
It’s been almost 18 months since Dolphin and Open Road Films swam on into Wilmywood to begin production on Max Steeland we’ve been like, “Where is this movie?” Yes, we’ve been hearing nothing but crickets! The movie stars Ben Winchell as Max McGrath along with Ana Villafañe, Andy Garcia and Maria Bello. But finally we have our selves a trailer!!! It’s the Spanish trailer, but in English. If you remember, Mattel’s Max Steel franchise has a HUGE following especially in South America. So, I guess that makes sense. Anyone else SUPER pumped?! The new release date is Friday, October 21, 2016.

16 year old Max McGrath is discovering that he’s got a strange electric energy that emanates from him when he’s upset or excited, and it’s starting to grow beyond his control. With his scientist father dead and his mom Molly unwilling to talk about what really happened in the accident that killed him, Max is resigned to trying to fit in to yet another new school–where he finds himself attracted to the quirky, independent-minded Sydney and develops a friendship with an old colleague of his dad’s, Miles Edwards. But the most startling thing that happens to Max is the arrival of a small, crab-like alien named Steel, whose memory may be faulty but who knows one thing for certain: he’s there to protect Max, and he’s been sent by Max’s father.

I am proud to announce that our fabulous, hard working Marty Siu officially has the power to cast where no extras casting director has cast before. MAX STEEL has got their gal! Marty has been excited about this project ever since she heard about it months ago. She is currently casting the NBC (for CBS) pilot RED ZONE. The timing works out perfectly for her as she won’t even have a day off. She will be joining the Dolphin/Mattel team on the tail end of RED ZONE’s wrap up. Before that she was the extras casting director for SPONGEBOB 2 that was shot in Savannah, GA last year.

“I am a geek for cartoon and comic book movies, from Spongebob to Max Steel. This is a great year for films in the Southeast, ” said Marty.

Marty has asked for all interested in being an extra on the feature film (if you haven’t already) to please register on her web site: Marty Siu Casting. Home-schooled kids and teens, you are encouraged to register.

Also, be sure to check Marty’s casting facebook page for more details later today or tomorrow. And of course to give her some MAD LOVE!

ABOUT MAX STEELE: 16 year old Max McGrath is discovering that he’s got a strange electric energy that emanates from him when he’s upset or excited, and it’s starting to grow beyond his control. With his scientist father dead and his mom Molly unwilling to talk about what really happened in the accident that killed him, Max is resigned to trying to fit in to yet another new school–where he finds himself attracted to the quirky, independent-minded Sydney and develops a friendship with an old colleague of his dad’s, Miles Edwards. But the most startling thing that happens to Max is the arrival of a small, crab-like alien named Steel, whose memory may be faulty but who knows one thing for certain: he’s there to protect Max, and he’s been sent by Max’s father.

Crew Call: Regardless of delays and no office officially open yet, Max Steel is now accepting crew resumes. Send your resumes to maxsteelresumes@gmail.com with your position in the subject line.

If you remember Max Steel was supposed to shoot in both Connecticut and North Carolina. Interestingly enough, the latest post about Max Steel did not include Connecticut in locations. Might not mean a damn thing, but we should make a note.

ABOUT MAX STEELE: 16 year old Max McGrath is discovering that he’s got a strange electric energy that emanates from him when he’s upset or excited, and it’s starting to grow beyond his control. With his scientist father dead and his mom Molly unwilling to talk about what really happened in the accident that killed him, Max is resigned to trying to fit in to yet another new school–where he finds himself attracted to the quirky, independent-minded Sydney and develops a friendship with an old colleague of his dad’s, Miles Edwards. But the most startling thing that happens to Max is the arrival of a small, crab-like alien named Steel, whose memory may be faulty but who knows one thing for certain: he’s there to protect Max, and he’s been sent by Max’s father.

This morning, at the European Film Market/Berlin Fest, Dolphin Films announced that Ben Winchell and Ana Villafane have landed the lead roles s of Max McGrath and Sydney Gardner in our soon to be Wilmywood shot Max Steel, the highly anticipated, live-action franchise feature film based on Mattel’s popular superhero animated series.

Atlanta boy, Ben Winchell will take on the lead role of Max McGrath. He’s best known for his roles in Lifetime’s Pregnancy Pact, as well as Dixon in season 3 of “A.N.T. Farm” (Disney) and Eric in season 2 of Necessary Roughness (TNT).

Ana Villafane will play Max’s love interest, Sydney Gardner. She’s an up-and-coming Latina actress and singer from Miami, Florida. Villafane is best known for her starring role in Anchor Bay’s 2012 release Hiding playing a protected witness relocated from New York City to Montana. Also, in this flick was Jeremy Sumpter who we just had here working on The Squeeze.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to introduce audiences worldwide to Ben Winchell and Ana Villafane,” said Bill O’Dowd, CEO Dolphin Entertainment. “The Max Steel franchise fan base is extremely passionate about the lead characters of Max and Sydney, and we knew we needed to get the casting just right. Ben and Ana are extremely talented young actors, and we’re confident fans will fall in love with each of them the minute they hit the big screen.”

Happy Thursday beautiful peeps! I hope you are more rested than me! Ha! Let’s start with more details about Max Steel. My sources have told me that the powers that be from Mattel Entertainment along with Open Road Films and Dolphin Films have been interviewing department-heads for this live action version of the Action SciFi TV series. It’s looking like the budget will not exceed 20 million, more likely 10-15M. Stewart Hendler will direct. One of the two producers really caught my eye! Julia Pistor. She is a perfect fit for this find of flick as she has produced films such as The Spiderwick Chronicles, Charlott’s Web, Jimmy Neutron and Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, just to name a few! I REALLY want to meet her! They are slated to open offices in the next 40-60 days. We should be hearing an announcement very soon! The feature revolves around teenager Maxwell McGrath and alien companion Steel who can combine special turbo-energy powers to generate superhero, Max Steel.

Sleepy Hollow has been going back and forth trying to figure out when indeed they will be coming back to Wilmywood for Season 2. At one point they were discussing a start as early as January, but now they are looking at April/May.

The company BaseCamp Luxe is holding their ribbon cutting ceremony TODAY at Screen Gems. Media will receive special viewing of the stylish and luxurious vintage airstream trailers for use on film and television production sets. Congrats to Anne Wilson and Marybeth Bankson on their business. They look gorgeous!

Make sure you are a part of the movement, You are a voter, you have a voice. Help end the “sunset” permanently, keep the film incentives indefinitely! Visit KEEPNCFILM.org NOW and LIKE their Facebook page

From November 19th – 24th Get 15% off everything in the Wilmywood Store when you use coupon code: WITHLOVE. Let the gift shopping season commence!! SHOP NOW

We’re the Millers, starring Jennifer Aniston and Jason Sudeikis is now available on DVD & Blu Ray. BUY IT NOW from The Wilmywood Daily’s A-Store, powered by Amazon.com

That just about does it for me; I will have more Wilmywood updates for you tomorrow morning (unless something breaks) and every weekday morning we do “What’s Up in Wilmywood” at 7:30am & 8:30am LIVE on Sunny 104.5. Got Scoop? Email me: sheila_brothers@yahoo.com. Or message me on Wilmywood’s FB . You can also just post your comments below! Until then, that’s a wrap!!

A lovely RUMOR from the Lot. My sources have just told me that we may be hearing an announcement soon about a big budget movie that has been shrouded in secrecy. My sources tell that Mattel Entertainment could indeed be bringing us Max Steel. The feature revolves around teenager Maxwell McGrath and alien companion Steel who can combine special turbo-energy powers to generate superhero, Max Steel.

As Mattel reboots its “Max Steel” franchise with a new line of toys and an animated TV series, the company also teamed up with Open Road Films picking up the project to release in theaters late next year. Dolphin Films, a production banner of Dolphin Entertainment, will produce the film.

We can chalk this up as rumor but we will find out soon enough because they are reported to open up offices in January 2014.